Lifestyles

Get ready to rub that rabbit foot, Fanflairs! All bets were off on Sunday as we raised the stakes during the grand opening of the Rivers Casino, where high-roller hopefuls were more than willing to do a little economic stimulating of their own with the pull of a lever.

This crowd of luck-be-a-ladies and ramblin', gamblin' gents already was 12 deep well before the official ribbon cutting at noon. Casino prez Ed Fasulo, CEO Greg Carlin and developer Neil Bluhm did the honors, expecting nearly 10,000 first-day patrons. Some of whom had been staking their claim at the front of the line since 5:30 in the morning.

"We don't want to get trampled when those ribbons are cut," joked politico Dan Onorato.

Sequined showgirls wearing feathered plumes 2 feet tall welcomed wagering enthusiasts eager to press their luck, quickly finding a machine willing to accept all those pennies saved for a rainy day, although the triple cherries apparently hadn't ripened quite yet.

"We've already lost two hundred dollars!" Scott Hay said with a laugh, just as his wife, Lori, managed to pull the lever on a row of 7's.

Cha-ching!

As the crowd moseyed along, smiling staff members were happy to oblige our every need, from refilling refreshments to pointing us in the right direction after we found ourselves swimming in circles in a sea of 3,000 slots and 18 virtual blackjack and poker machines.

Earlier in the week, VIPs were treated to a private preview during which proceeds were donated to area charities including the World War II Memorial, Allegheny General Hospital, The Urban League and the Food Bank.

High hopes on hitting the jackpot were Jennifer Beam; Erin Provance; Mike McKito; Cassanndra Lucas; Sandy Greenert; Kelly Kardos; Deonna Hicks; Elena Polanco; Barb Yavorka; Cindy Mills; Sharon Dreger; Lisa Moretti; Dan Forster; Linda and Christopher Wachter; Becky Simpson; Arlene Huss; Connie Alexander; Terri Pryborowski; Karen and Bruce Edwards; Mark Max; Terry Postolo; Justin and Lyra Kendricks; Susan and Marv Porter; Jason Steemer; Josh and Kerry Mather; Noel Roberts; Lenny Page; Robert and Nancy Porgese; and Vera McMillan.

Also, Tom Rolands; Rachel and Bill Faust; Elizabeth Giesery; Michael Collins; Jack and Julie Draynor; Sam Hill; Ian and Leah Beelins; Sam French; Roberta and Regina Dryer; Frank Cummings; Lonnie and Beth Barker; Tori Dean; Sarah Pelor; Jeff and Eva Means; Emily Pritt; Meghan and Skylar Dobbins; Luke McGuiness; Paul Leinart; Colleen and Joe Magero; Frank Molene; Kathryn and Dale Slats; Peter Naman; and Justin LeGerro.

Palatable Pink

Those lovely ladies of the Civic Light Opera Guild were pretty in shades of you-know-what for their Palatable Pink luncheon on Wednesday at LeMont, as chair Colleen Travis and co-chairs Maryann Boehm and Norma Sobel led the fashionable fete inside.

Spotlight on, we put our hands together for young CLO up-and-comers Celine Held, Nicole Jones, Theodore McKenna, Stephen Ray, Maria Scheller and Brad Trump, who were each honored with the Constance T. Rockwell Scholarship, and Nicole Kukieza, who won the Charity Randall Award. Break a leg, gang!

Since we had a $1 million view of the new casino, most of the pre-party chit-chat centered on what the Rivers was going to bring to our Three. "I'm going to go take a peek during the private tours this afternoon," commented Violet Gallo.

Sitting pretty were Dee Bold; Dani Grego; Judy Woffington; Arlene Sokolow; Bobbi Aiello; Susan O'Toole; Ruth Smith; Patti Matty; Ann Baldrige; Cindy Falvo; and Pauline Henry.

Shyne On

The curtain was raised at the Byham Theater on Thursday to honor some truly inspirational youths in our area during the Shyne Awards, where Malik Yoba (he of television and silver-screen acclaim) emceed his way into our comedic Hall of Fame.

"Good evening, beautiful people! Thank you to those who chose to stand up!"

As we celebrated their achievements in areas such as Arts, Community Service, Academics, Science, and Service in Ministry, the nominees managed to remain relatively calm backstage as they waited for the envelopes to be opened.

"I'm not nervous. Everyone keeps saying that I am, but I'm not!" Sarah Gilmer said with a laugh.

We can only imagine how bright of a future lies ahead for these young dynamos who were recognized by the Shyne Awards Foundation for their positive impact on the community.

Amongst the crowd of 500 were co-creators Orlana Darkins and Darnell Drewery; Ryan Patrick Parker; chief Nathaniel Harper; Ed Gainey; Tamiko Stanley; Mark Lewis; Charles Sanders; Kathi Elliott; and Bridgette Driver.

I Scream!

I scream, you scream -- and on Friday, nearly 1,000 of us were all screaming for some more of that frozen dairy goodness during the Pressley Ridge Ice Cream Fundae at the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium, where we kids of all ages were lovin' every spoonful.

No ice queens here! Two scoops in and we were in a mouthwatering meltdown, succumbing to the sweet temptation of chocolate peanut butter cup and rocky road, not to mention the rainbow sherbet and java chunk, renamed by corporate teams with funky monikers such as "Limited Tort-le Fudge Brownie" and "Rocky Road to Recovery." All donated by the cool cones over at Hagan Premium Ice Cream.

What else can we say? TGIFundae!

Enjoying the cherry on top of this $80K sweet treat that will ensure continued services for troubled and developmentally challenged children were chair Jay Knowles with Maggie; co-chair Jen McCrady with Chris; Pressley prez B. Scott Finnell with Judy; board chair Fay Mosle; Steve and Lynn Silberman; Jolie Schroeder; Dr. Howard and Christine Cohen; and Bob and Peggy Runnette.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Aug. 15

An Evening in the Historic Gardens -- Old Economy Village, 724-266-4500

Aug. 18

Cookie Cruise -- Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Gateway Clipper, 412-395-2889

Aug. 20

Pittsburgh Ballet Under the Stars, Hartwood Acres, 412-454-9119

Aug. 21

Fights and Feathers -- National Aviary, Heinz Field, 412-323-7235, ext. 214

Aug. 22

Come Fly With Us Gala -- Ladies Hospital Aid Society, Westin Convention Center Hotel, 412-648-6106

Twilight Tour of Fallingwater -- Western Pennsylvania Conservancy, 724-329-8501, ext. 1

Aug. 23

Monte Carlo Night -- Ohio Valley General Hospital Foundation, LeMont, 412-777-6359

Aug. 29

A Gift of Hope: From the Hills of Pittsburgh to the Mountains of Haiti -- FLM of Haiti, 412-471-4332

Aug. 31

Augere Auction -- Pittsburgh Center for the Arts, PCA, Shadyside, 412-361-0873, ext. 302

• Most Read
• Most E-mailed
• Latest News